Whole-home duct cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning
Camera inspection
Sanitizing & deodorizingWhole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
Styles & brands we work with
- Whole-home duct cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Camera inspection
- Sanitizing & deodorizing
See the difference
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After
Before
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Before
AfterHow Much Does Duct Repair & Sealing Cost in San Mateo?
Duct repair and sealing in San Mateo typically runs $350 to $1,900, with most single-system homes landing between $550 and $1,100 for sealing plus one or two targeted repairs. A straightforward reconnect of a detached flex run might come in near the bottom of that range, while replacing crushed or water-damaged rigid duct in a crawlspace pushes toward the top. Every job is priced by a free written estimate, so the number you get in writing is the number that holds.
We’re a duct and vent specialist, which matters for this kind of work. Leaky ducts are as much a repair problem as a cleaning problem, and most cleaning-only companies find the damage and leave it. We clean it and fix it with contractor-grade equipment: Rotobrush rotary systems, Nikro HEPA negative-air containment, and Abatement Technologies gear for systems that need real containment. If you’re comparing options around San Mateo, the gap between a cheap patch and a proper sealed system is worth understanding before you sign anything.
Call (866) 894-2153 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Key Takeaways
- Typical San Mateo duct sealing ranges from $350 to $1,200; repairs add $200 to $800 on top of sealing.
- Sealing usually costs less than replacing runs, and it’s the highest-return step for airflow and allergens.
- Crushed, disconnected, or pest-damaged duct hidden in crawlspaces is the most common repair cost driver locally.
- Contractor-grade containment (Nikro HEPA, Abatement Technologies) keeps dislodged debris out of the living space during repair.
- Estimates are free and written, so there’s no guessing about the final number.
Duct Repair & Sealing Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how the pieces price out for San Mateo homes in 2026. These are typical ranges, and the written estimate sets the final price.
| Line Item | Typical Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Full duct system sealing (whole-house) | $550 – $1,200 | Sealing accessible joints, seams, and boots with mastic and foil-backed tape; airflow verification |
| Targeted sealing (limited runs) | $350 – $650 | Sealing leaks on specific segments or the most accessible attic or crawlspace runs |
| Reconnecting detached flex duct | $200 – $450 | Re-securing and re-taping a popped or separated connection at a boot or trunk |
| Replacing a crushed or kinked flex run | $300 – $700 | Pulling and re-running one compromised flexible duct segment |
| Rigid duct repair or section replacement | $500 – $1,500 | Sheet metal section replacement, including transitions and hard connections |
| Crawlspace access and debris removal | $150 – $500 | Opening access, removing fallen insulation or pest debris before repair |
| Duct cleaning before or after repair | $350 – $800 | Rotobrush rotary cleaning with Nikro HEPA containment |
| Post-repair airflow verification | Included in estimate | Reading airflow at registers to confirm the fix holds |
What pushes a job toward the top of these ranges? Access is the big one. San Mateo has a large share of older single-story and ranch-style homes, many built in the mid-century decades with low-pitch roofs and tight crawlspaces. When a duct run sits under flooring joists with limited clearance, or the attic hatch is small, the labor to reach the leak goes up. Rigid metal duct that’s been crushed by a past remodel or a dropped load of stored items costs more to replace than flex. And a system that needs cleaning before repair adds that line item, though doing both in one visit is usually cheaper than two separate trips. If your ducts are simply dusty rather than damaged, the right first step may be a proper cleaning through our duct cleaning San Mateo service, and a repair estimate will tell you whether sealing is needed on top of that.
What Affects Duct Repair & Sealing Pricing in San Mateo
- Access to hidden ductwork. Crawlspace and attic access varies house to house, and San Mateo’s older stock often has low clearances that add labor. A clear path to the leak is the single biggest swing in price.
- Duct material. Flexible duct is quick to replace and affordable; rigid sheet metal takes more craft and costs more per foot. A mixed system means quoting each segment separately.
- Extent of the leak. One loose boot is a small repair. A whole trunk line with multiple failed joints means broader sealing and possibly a section replacement.
- Pest or moisture damage. Rodent-chewed flex and condensation-stained duct need removal and containment before new material goes in. Abatement Technologies containment gear keeps that debris out of your air.
- Contamination level. If the system has visible buildup or musty growth, sealing over it just traps the problem. Cleaning with Nikro HEPA and Abatement Technologies equipment adds to the estimate but protects the repair.
- Number of registers and runs. A larger home with more supply and return runs costs more to seal than a compact footprint, simply because there are more joints to reach.
- Airflow goals. If a room is chronically too warm or too cool, the estimate includes verification at the register to confirm your money bought a measurable result.
One thing we’re careful about: we don’t do general HVAC installation or AC repair. Duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, and duct repair are the whole scope, so the crew you book is purpose-trained for exactly this. That focus is why we can name the exact equipment rather than promise “thoroughness” in the abstract.
How to Save on Duct Repair & Sealing
There’s no reason to pay more than you have to for a proper repair. A few practical moves keep the number down:
- Get the leak located before you commit. Ask for airflow readings and a clear explanation of where the loss is. A free estimate should include that, not just a lump-sum number.
- Bundle cleaning and repair into one visit. When you’re only paying for one trip, you avoid duplicate access setup and containment. Doing both together is typical for homes in San Mateo.
- Fix the seal, not just the symptom. Sealing leaky joints is often cheaper than replacing runs, and it delivers measurable airflow improvement. Replacing duct that only needed sealing is where money gets wasted.
- Address small problems early. A loose connection re-taped today costs a fraction of a crushed run replaced later. Don’t wait for the room to go cold.
- Get a written estimate, always. We set the price per job by the written estimate, and the estimate is free. Call (866) 894-2153 and we’ll walk you through what your system actually needs.
Homeowners who ask good questions up front tend to avoid the “cheap job done twice” trap. Our technicians have up to 10 years of experience in this trade, and they’ll explain what they find rather than hand you a mystery invoice. If part of your concern is filtration after the repair, we’re familiar with Honeywell and Aprilaire air-quality systems, which lets us make an informed recommendation once the ducts are sealed and clean. That’s a path to better air, not an upsell.
Repair vs. Replace: Which Costs Less Over Time?
Repair almost always costs less today, and sealing a repairable system is the smarter spend when the duct is structurally sound. Full replacement makes sense only when large sections are crushed, disconnected beyond repair, or contaminated enough that cleaning can’t fix it. Sealing keeps the system you have and closes the leaks that bleed airflow and energy. For most San Mateo homes, the repair-and-seal route is the one that pays back in comfort and airflow rather than a bigger install bill. The written estimate tells you which side of that line you’re on before any work starts.
Is Duct Sealing Worth It in San Mateo’s Climate?
Yes, and here the reasoning is about mild winters and warm summers, not extremes. Winters are mild, so your system isn’t fighting snow or deep cold, but leaky ducts still lose conditioned air into the attic or crawlspace year-round. In summer, leaks pull hot attic air into your supply runs; in the mild heating season, they leak warmed air away. Sealing those joints improves airflow to the rooms that need it and cuts the energy load on your equipment. For anyone sensitive to allergens, cleaner and better-connected ducts mean fewer particles circulating. That’s a specific, measurable outcome, not a slogan.
What Happens When You Call
You call (866) 894-2153, describe the symptoms (rooms that won’t warm up, musty smells, noisy ducts, visible damage in the crawlspace), and we schedule a free estimate. During the visit, our crew locates the leaks, explains the fix, and gives you a written price. Most sealing and reconnect jobs are completed in a single visit, and we verify airflow at the registers when we’re done. We dispatch 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday, and we’re closed Saturday. If a call comes in outside dispatch hours, we answer 24/7 and book it into the next opening.
One more note on dryer vents, since we get asked about them while we’re on site: a clogged dryer vent is a documented fire risk, not a cosmetic one. Our dryer vent cleaning service clears lint buildup and restores safe airflow, and we treat it as a safety job. It belongs in the same visit if your vent is overdue. We use contractor-grade Rotobrush and Nikro HEPA equipment across everything we do, so the hardware on the job matches the problem.
FAQs – Duct Repair & Sealing Cost
How much does duct sealing cost in San Mateo?
Whole-house duct sealing in San Mateo typically costs $550 to $1,200, with targeted sealing on limited runs at $350 to $650. The final figure depends on access, duct material, and how many joints need sealing. Call (866) 894-2153 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace leaking ductwork?
Repair costs less than replacement in nearly every case, usually by several hundred to over a thousand dollars per job. Sealing a sound system runs far below replacing runs, and replacement is reserved for crushed or badly contaminated duct that can’t be restored. A written estimate will tell you which applies to your home.
Can you come today to look at my ducts?
Often, yes. We dispatch fast from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday, and same-day estimates are frequently possible. We answer 24/7, so a call outside dispatch hours gets booked into the next opening. Call (866) 894-2153 to check scheduling for your San Mateo address.
Does duct cleaning cost extra on top of repair?
Duct cleaning is quoted as its own line item, typically $350 to $800, and we do it with Rotobrush rotary cleaning and Nikro HEPA containment. Bundling cleaning with repair in one visit usually avoids a second trip. Ask about it when the crew arrives and it goes into the same written estimate.
Why are my repaired ducts still not delivering airflow?
It’s usually because a second leak or a crushed run was missed, not because sealing failed. Airflow verification at the registers after repair catches that, and a follow-up reading confirms the fix holds. If a room is still underperforming, call (866) 894-2153 and we’ll re-check the system.
Do you offer duct repair as a standalone service?
Yes. Duct repair is a standalone service here, separate from cleaning, which is uncommon among cleaning-only companies that stop at the dust. Repair, sealing, and cleaning are all quoted per job, and the free written estimate sets the final price. Call (866) 894-2153 to book an inspection.
Get a Free Duct Repair & Sealing Estimate in San Mateo
Leaky or damaged duct is a fixable problem, and the price is easier to pin down than most homeowners expect. You’ll get a written estimate, a clear explanation of what needs sealing versus replacing, and equipment that matches the job: Rotobrush rotary cleaning, Nikro HEPA containment, and Abatement Technologies gear when a system needs real handling. We can also point you toward Honeywell and Aprilaire filtration options once the ducts are sound. Call (866) 894-2153 to set up your free estimate. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Written by the team at Duct Cleaning San Mateo.
Pricing reflects the San Mateo market as of 2026. Duct Cleaning San Mateo offers free estimates – call (866) 894-2153.
What Our Customers Say
"Did the dryer vent while they were here for a small add on price. The dryer now finishes a load in one cycle instead of two."
- Miguel Garcia"Found a disconnected run in the crawlspace while they were in there and told me about it rather than cleaning around it."
- Jeff Walsh"My wife's allergies had been bad in this house since we moved in. It's been two months since they did the ducts and it's noticeably better. Not a miracle, but real."
- Dale Barrett